Outcomes of experimental rat varicocele with and without microsurgery.

Tie Zhou,Bo Yang,Guanghua Chen,Yinghao Sun,Huan Cao

doi:10.1186/s12894-015-0012-y

Tie Zhou, Bo Yang + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-015-0012-y

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Journal: BMC Urology	Publication Date: Mar 17, 2015
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Second Military Medical University, Changhai Hospital

Abstract

BackgroundExperimental rat varicocele was usually developed by the conventional technique but with varied success; and microsurgical rat varicocele model was an effective alternative. In this study we further analyzed differential outcome of experimental rat model with and without microsurgery.MethodsOne hundred and twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups. In Group A, experimental rat varicocele model was developed with conventional technique. The left renal vein was partially ligated with concurrent ligation of communicating branches between the left spermatic vein and common iliac vein. In Group B, all the above procedures were finished with microsurgical manipulation under operating microscope. Before and after model development, the mean diameter of the left internal spermatic vein was compared; and at 8 weeks after initial surgery the mean sperm concentration and motility in both groups was analyzed.ResultsThe baseline mean diameter of the left internal spermatic vein in Group A and Group B was 0.14 ± 0.04 and 0.15 ± 0.03 mm, respectively (P =0.3157). In Group A 9 rats had severe complications resulting in model failure; while in Group B all rats had successful model except for one died of anesthetic accident (P = 0.008). At 8 weeks after initial surgery the mean left internal spermatic vein, sperm concentration and motility in both groups was 1.65 mm, 321.5×106/gm and 51.9%; and 1.65 mm, 318.9×106/gm and 53.5% respectively. There was nonsignificant difference of internal spermatic vein diameter, sperm concentration and motility between two groups.ConclusionsMicrosurgery makes developing experiment rat varicocele model easy. Compared with conventional technique, microsurgical rat varicocele model has higher success rate and less complication.

Highlights

Experimental rat varicocele was usually developed by the conventional technique but with varied success; and microsurgical rat varicocele model was an effective alternative
Hormonal dysfunction, elevated testicular temperature and spermatic veins hypertension have been considered to be involved in varicocele-related testicular dysfunction [1,3], the exact pathophysiologic mechanism is not yet completely understood
In Group A 9 rats had severe complications resulting in model failure; while in Group B no severe complication happened, and all rats had successful model except for one died of anesthetic accident (85% VS 98.3%, p = 0.008)

Summary

Introduction

Experimental rat varicocele was usually developed by the conventional technique but with varied success; and microsurgical rat varicocele model was an effective alternative. In this study we further analyzed differential outcome of experimental rat model with and without microsurgery. Varicocele is believed to be associated with subfertility and has been found in 15% of normal male population [1]. Varicocele is an underlying cause in 41% of male patients with primary infertility and 75-81% of male patients with secondary infertility [2]. Hormonal dysfunction, elevated testicular temperature and spermatic veins hypertension have been considered to be involved in varicocele-related testicular dysfunction [1,3], the exact pathophysiologic mechanism is not yet completely understood. Experimental rat varicocele is the most common animal model to investigate the molecular mechanism of

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Conclusion